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Recently, I have had the joy and honor of helping some brand new Mama’s with their nursing experience. Now, “brand new Mama” does not imply at all that they are first time moms. Some of them were. But, some of these ladies were nursing their second, third or even fourth babies. “Brand new Mama” refers to the fact that they have a brand new baby. An absolutely stunning, precious, adorable, lovable, screaming, confusing, frustrating little bundle of upsetting bliss.

Now, I was once a “brand new Mama”. And in a few short weeks (eek!) I will enter that world again. But, truly, it doesn’t matter if you are nursing, or bottle feeding. If you have an “easy” baby or a “colicky” baby. And it doesn’t matter if you have just one precious bundle of joy, or if you are going through this for the 9th time. Nor, does it matter if you birthed them from your womb (biological) or from your heart (adoption). Or if you children are 2 hours old, or 20 years old. The truth of the matter is this: This, too, shall pass.

Shortly after I brought Little Miss home from the hospital, I was up in the middle of the night changing, feeding, burping, feeding, burping, changing, cuddling, feeding, holding her. Ever have a newborn? Then you know exactly what I mean. Right about the time when you think you might have gotten the hang of things, these adorable, tiny balls of human life go and mess it all up again. And it’s wonderful. And it’s frustrating. As I was sitting in my room at 3am, with a newborn, screaming in my face for what seemed like hours, I felt my resolve melt. I started crying with her. And the louder she cried, the louder I cried. I felt so helpless, and yet, so needed. I lifted her tiny body up in front of me, so I could see her face. And without even thinking, I wailed to her, “WHY?! WHY DO YOU HATE ME SO MUCH?!” At this point, Mister was very awake, and took her from me, and said, “She doesn’t hate you. She just doesn’t know….” He then took her to the living room, where apparently they slept (she is still Daddy’s girl, to this day), and I lay there in my bed. As I lay there in the quiet, something occurred to me: This, too, shall pass.

This is my parenting motto: This, too, shall pass.

It’s quite profound, if you think about it.

However awful and miserable things seem to be, it’s not going to last forever. You can survive this. That little screaming baby, who has nursed you raw, will one day grow up. And you will miss those times of closeness, and bonding, that only you had. Never nursed? It still applies. So quickly, those itty-bitty newborn diapers are so quickly traded for the bigger “size 1”. And before you know it, your little baby will be potty training, and you will see a lone newborn sized diaper that fell behind the dresser 2 years ago, and you will think to yourself, “How in the world did this happen?” It happens, because, This, too, shall pass.

On the other hand, all the good things come to an end, as well. Cherish every single moment you can, because, This, too, shall pass. Those snuggly little babies turn into mobile toddlers who just want to go. Those little grins, just because they saw your face, soon turn to scowls of disgust at the food they loved yesterday, but hate today. Those first words, “mama” and “dada” are all to soon replaced with, “BUT, MOM!!!!!!!!” Little feet that go “pitter-patter” turn into stomping up the stairs and slamming doors. And climbing out of the crib is just a memory of the past when they start sneaking out at night. So, especially in those good times, remember, they will be gone before you know it, because, This, too, shall pass.

Being a parent is hard. But, the good, the bad, and even the ugly, all come to an end. Those precious baby coos turn into sassy little words. Those midnight screams turn into, “Please, Mama”s. These tiny little people, grow into bigger people. Who will, one day, have tiny little people of their own. And, somehow, those never-ending sleepless nights, seem like light-years away. And those days that seemed so far away, the first day of school, graduation, weddings, are all of the sudden happening tomorrow. How is that even possible? Because, in all things, wonderful or miserable, This, too, WILL pass. And it will somehow not pass fast enough, but then again, it will pass all to quickly. So, survive it, and cherish it while you can, because in the not-so-distant future, you’ll be reassuring your baby, that no matter what your grandbaby might be doing right now, This, too, shall pass. And try as you might, you can never get those days back.

What are some struggles that you wish (or wished) would pass more quickly? What are some moments that you will strive harder to cherish, or wish you would have cherished more? Let me know in the comments!

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Cast of Characters

We are a crazy bunch, to say the least. In the past 4 years, my entire world has been flipped upside-down and at times, shaken like a snow globe! Although this life isn't easy, its mine and I love it. I am a blessed woman!

Mr.

He's smart, kind, generous, and attractive. I couldn't ask for more in a partner in crime.

Little Miss Sassy Pants

Meet Little Miss Sassy Pants. She is 4 years old, and way too smart for her own good. She also likes chocolate.

Middle Little

Middle Little is a typical 3 year old boy. He loves trains, his blankie, Buzz and Woody and his Mama.

Buddy Boy

I can't believe my baby is 2!! He is so caring and cuddly, but holds his own, too.